Chinese BBQ'd Shrimp and Grits

Ingredients

• 14-18 extra large shrimp, peeled and de-veined
• 4-6 slices of thick-cut bacon, chopped (you could use spicy pork sausage instead)
• pinch of red pepper flakes
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1 shallot, minced
• sea salt and white pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp rice flour, for very light dredging
• splash of rice vinegar, for deglazing
• *low-sodium chicken broth or water, plus more if needed (see note)
• *brown sugar, to taste (see note)
• jar of Chinese BBQ sauce (any brand)
• toasted white sesame seeds, for garnish
• 2 chopped scallions, for garnish
• canola oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken stock
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• super tiny pinch of baking powder (less than 1/8 tsp)
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• Pinch of onion powder
• Pinch of paprika
• pinch of granulated garlic
• 1/2 cup stone-ground grits
• 1-2 tbsp softened cream cheese (optional)
• 2 to 3 tbsp butter
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• squirt of freshly-squeezed lemon juice (optional)